Today is Tu’B’shvat or the Biblical New Year for Trees! It is like Arbor Day in the US; however, it is based on Leviticus 19 for determining the age of a tree and when you may eat its fruit. It has become customary on this day to plant a new tree as well.
“When you enter the land and plant various kinds of fruit trees, you are to regard its fruit as forbidden — for three years it will be forbidden to you and not eaten. In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, for praising Adonai. But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit, so that it will produce even more for you; I am Adonai your God” (Leviticus 19:23-25).
From a spiritual perspective, Tu B’shvat could be likened to Yeshua’s Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13. The seed of the message of the Kingdom falls on different soils creating a different root system. Some seeds are stolen, some take no root and wither up and die, others become choked out. Those seeds that fall on rich soil, take root and grow. As each year passes, the seed transforms into a fruit-bearing plant, being nurtured and pruned by the Father. The firstfruits are holy to Elohim. The next fruits producing 100 or 60 or 30 times that which was sown – bring forth nourishment to the owner of the tree and to everyone around.
“Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Yeshua the Messiah — to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:11).
So, while growing in grace and knowledge of the Kingdom of Yeshua, consider planting a tree in Israel. There are several places that offer this way to obey the command in Leviticus and help each of us to remember to bear fruit for the Kingdom in everything we say and do.
“So that you may live lives worthy of the Lord and entirely pleasing to him, being fruitful in every good work and multiplying in the full knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).
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